GOP spends $150k on Palin family wardrobe

[OtterXO]

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

I mean sure, some people think it is fug, but it is part of a culture's ethnic identity which I decided to use as a teaching moment.

I'm not sure if this was in response to me, but just to clarify, I definitely wasn't trying to insult the culture (since I can't even really see what it looks like), it's just unflattering on the Gov. in that photo.

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

Now I understand why the GOP had to dress Sarah in a Valentino Jacket.


Where ARE the fashion police when you need them???

Originally Posted by BabyPiNK_FL

*DEAD*

Originally Posted by OtterXO

No, how much is spent on a wardrobe would not influence my voting decision. I just find it hypocritical to be saying "aw shucks I'm just middle class" and then sporting high end designer clothing (bought by the RNC) when our country is going through an economic crisis. I don't have a problem with her being "groomed" to be more presentable, particularly if that pink dress (native or not, it's not the most flattering outfit) is the type of clothing she wears in public back home. I just find the amount of money to be a little disturbing. But, one could say that about the millions being spent on TV ads as well.

Originally Posted by OtterXO

I'm not sure if this was in response to me, but just to clarify, I definitely wasn't trying to insult the culture (since I can't even really see what it looks like), it's just unflattering on the Gov. in that photo.

I quoted my sister in the original reply, and in the edit of my original reply explained why she was wearing it. You said it was unflattering, which could be true, but I explained why she would be wearing it, regardless of flattering her or not. From the poking around I did, she was in Barrow, which isn't the village, but the point is if you're given a gift in Alaska (likely even more so as a public official) you graciously accept it, regardless of how it makes you look or if it smells funny or tastes bad. I mean I'm not really a fan of seal fat or certain kinds of fish, but the person offering it to me spent the time catching it, preparing it, and shared what little they may have had with me, and I'm just an archaeologist or a visitor.

It is part of the culture, hence why I turned it into a teaching moment. Refusing can be a huge insult, and in a closed environment like a village you aren't just causing issues for yourself, but for any other people who may come after you, and frankly there's been too much of that already.

[Benzgirl]

Now I understand why the GOP had to dress Sarah in a Valentino Jacket.


Where ARE the fashion police when you need them???

[BabyPiNK_FL]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

Now I understand why the GOP had to dress Sarah in a Valentino Jacket.


Where ARE the fashion police when you need them???

*DEAD*

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

Now I understand why the GOP had to dress Sarah in a Valentino Jacket.


Where ARE the fashion police when you need them???

The dress she's wearing is actually a Yup'ik woman's dress, and are quite common in Alaska. When I remember the spelling I'll post it for you.

ETA: Okay, it's a Kuspuk (though spelling can vary that's the most common). There's a picture of her at a blanket toss wearing the same outfit in Barrow, and it is likely it was a gift (just from my village experiences) so not wearing it, even if it is tacky to some, would be highly offensive. Same goes for any food offered, even if you're not a fan of it, which is how I have ended up eating akutaq, and that particular recipe was caribou meat, salmon, seal fat, and berries. People wear those as everyday items, or for dance performances.

Cultural lesson over.

[KappaKittyCat]

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

The dress she's wearing is actually a Yup'ik woman's dress, and are quite common in Alaska. When I remember the spelling I'll post it for you.

ETA: Okay, it's a Kuspuk (though spelling can vary that's the most common). There's a picture of her at a blanket toss wearing the same outfit in Barrow, and it is likely it was a gift (just from my village experiences) so not wearing it, even if it is tacky to some, would be highly offensive. Same goes for any food offered, even if you're not a fan of it, which is how I have ended up eating akutaq, and that particular recipe was caribou meat, salmon, seal fat, and berries. People wear those as everyday items, or for dance performances.

Cultural lesson over.

Thanks for the explanation, VandalSquirrel! I quoted you in a Facebook debate my friends and I were having over that very same picture - the title of the conversation was "WTF is she wearing?" It also kind of explains the updo with the outfit.

[LightBulb]

I'm not surprised that the campaign outfitted her, but I think it could have been thriftier. Honestly, I'd be a little pissed if I'd contributed to the McCain campaign. However, since that's not going to happen... here's what I think.

It doesn't bother me that she's wearing expensive clothes. I don't think that's the factor that makes her seem "out of touch," and I do think it was/will be overall beneficial to her campaign that she had awesome jackets: I think that people will consider the visual image (beauty queen) of the past two months to be more important than the extravagant spending message of the next two weeks.

However, don't dish it if you can't take it. Expect to be ridiculed for spending 10x on her hair/makeup what Edwards was spent on his.

One last point: it's two weeks until the election. This may be a story for three days, but the Obama campaign has got more important things to worry about than criticizing RNC spending.

[tri deezy]

If i had donated to the campaign, I'd ask for my money back.

[KSigkid]

Maybe this is my bias showing, but I don't see an issue with this, for many of the reasons stated in the thread. I'm a donor (albeit on a low level), and don't have a problem with my money being used in that manner.

[agzg]

I guess it's just hard to keep up with Cindy McCain.

Although Cindy McCain, as much as I may or may not agree with her, does have fabulous taste.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by alphagamzetagam

I guess it's just hard to keep up with Cindy McCain.

Although Cindy McCain, as much as I may or may not agree with her, does have fabulous taste.

My bet is Cindy gets her own show on the Style channel...

[agzg]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

My bet is Cindy gets her own show on the Style channel...

If McCain is elected would the title be "first lady of style"?

It'd be great to see her opposite Tim Gunn on Bravo.

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

My bet is Cindy gets her own show on the Style channel...

I'm sure Cindy doesn't style herself. Not that I expect it's Rachel Zoe, but I'm sure she has a stylist.

But, I wish someone would do something with Cindy's Helmet Hair. FWIW, I would love to see Cindy just once in the Rachel Hippy Do.

[AGDee]

Well, it also looks like she's holding a newborn (not sure which child) that is probably only a few weeks old. In all fairness, she's probably in that "maternity clothes are too big, regular clothes aren't fitting yet" phase after you have a baby. It does take a month to 6 weeks for that belly to go down, especially if that's the 5th child.

[BetteDavisEyes]

Originally Posted by AGDee

In all fairness, she's probably in that "maternity clothes are too big, regular clothes aren't fitting yet" phase after you have a baby. It does take a month to 6 weeks for that belly to go down, especially if that's the 5th child.

That may be but there is no excuse for the earrings. Are those dolphins or killer whales?